Bathing Water Profile - Coolmaine (2017)

Bathing Water: Coolmaine Bathing Water Code: IESWBWC090_0000_0100 Local Authority: County Council River Basin District: South Western Monitoring Point: 153930E, 43790N

1. Profile Details: Amenities Profile Id: BWPR00405 Beach activity zones No Year Of Profile: 2017 Beach Information No board Year Of Identification 1994 Beach Wheelchair No Version Number: 1 Car free zone No

Figure 1: Bathing Water Cars allowed on beach No Cars not allowed on No beach Disability Access No Dogs allowed on lead No Dogs not allowed Yes First Aid No Lifebuoy at beach No Lifeguarded zone No Litter Bin No Natural Sensitive Area Yes Near Public Transport No Parking Yes Recycling facilities No Toilets No 2. Bathing Water Details:

Map 1: Bathing Water Location & Extent

Bathing Water location and Coolmain Beach is located approximately 3.5 km south east of Kilbrittain village & approximately 7km extent: south west of Bandon, in West Cork, (see Maps 1& 2).

Coolmain Beach is located in Coolmain Bay in the Bay Coastal Water Body (Water body Code SW_090_0000)

The bathing area is approximately 100m wide & is approx. 0.005km2 in area

Main features of the Bathing Type of Bathing Water Water: Coolmain Beach is a west-facing sandy beach which is bounded to the south by a low rocky cliff, with rocky outcrops to the north

Flora/Fauna, Riparian Zone

The beach is bounded to the rear (east) by a concrete wall with the public road & car park adjoining the beach. There are agricultural lands & small areas of forestry immediately to the east of the public road. There is no significant vegetation growing in the waters off the beach however this beach is subject to occasional large accumulations of sea lettuce which grows in Argideen/Courtmacsherry Estuary, Garranefeen Strand & Coolmain Bay

Water Depth

The beach is a gently sloping, sandy beach

Tidal Range

The beach is Mesotidal with a tidal range of between 2-4m. (Tidal range at (which is nearest Standard Port shown on Irish Tide Tables) is a maximum of 4.4m, the nearest secondary location for which tide data is provided is to the north east which is stated to be 0.3m lower than Cobh).

Land Use

The land use in the area immediately to the rear (east) of the beach is public road & car parking, then agricultural lands & forestry. There is an old derelict house located adjoining the southern end of the beach.

Sensitive Area

The designated beach is contained within Courtmacsherry Bay SPA (site code 004219), Courtmacsherry Estuary SAC (which is also a proposed NHA), (site code 001230), is situated near the bathing water, To Main features of the Bathing Water:

the north west of Coolmain beach, on the western side of Coolmain Bay, there is a south facing beach called Harbour View Beach or Garranefeen Strand which is also popular with visitors.

Max. number of visitor during a day in high season: 100

Approx number of visitor during the bathing season: 50

Activities available at the The beach is used to some extent by anglers Bathing Water:

Contributing catchment Coolmain beach is located adjoining the townland of Coolmain, approximately 3.5km south east of details: Kilbrittain village.

The beach is located in Coolmain Bay which is situated in Courtmacsherry Bay.

The contributing catchment of the bathing area is estimated at approximately 32.8 km2 in area.

Water Bodies Draining to Bathing Water;

The Kilbrittain River (see Map 2), drains the catchment area which drains to the bathing area. This river flows through Kilbrittain before it discharges into Coolmain Bay north of the bathing water.

The most recent EPA assessment of the Kilbrittain River in 2016, as part of the sub-catchments assessment programme, indicates that water quality in the river is not at risk.

EPA biological monitoring of the Kilbrittain River in 2015, at Maulmane Bridge,& at Kilbrittain Bridge, showed Q values of 4 at both sites which indicates Good ecological status & Good water quality.

Small Stream Risk Score (SSRS) analysis was carried out on 2 sites on the Bawnea Stream, (a tributary which flows into the Kilbrittain River downstream of Kilbrittain village), in April 2012, by Cork County Council Environment Directorate personnel. The results from both sites indicated that the waterbody is probably not at risk of pollution.

Small Stream Risk Score (SSRS) analysis was carried out on a site on the Kibrittain River, downstream of the Kilbrittain wastewater treatment plant discharge, in 2014, the results of the SSRS indicated that the waterbody is probably not at risk of pollution.

Topography;

The catchment area to the beach consists of moderately to steeply sloping hills & valleys, rising to 178m on the western side, & is mainly agricultural lands with some relatively small areas of forestry.

Land Use;

The land use in the area immediately to the rear (east) of the beach is public road & car parking, then agricultural lands & forestry.

The predominant land use in the wider catchment area is intensive grassland & tillage farming, with small areas of forestry. There are pig & poultry units located within & near the catchment area, & manure from these units is spread in the catchment area.

Stocking rates are relatively high in this area, however land quality is generally very good & can support these high stocking rates with good management.

Kilbrittain Village is located within the catchment approx. 3.5km to the north west of the bathing water. The village is served by a waste water collection & treatment system.

There are numerous individual dwellings scattered throughout the catchment area which should all have on-site waste water treatment systems.

Monitoring point details: The grid reference for the nominal bathing water monitoring point is Easting; 153930 Northing; 043790.

The precise location of the bathing water monitoring point can vary as referred to below depending on tides & weather influences.

Reason for selection of the The location of the bathing water monitoring point is the location where most bathers are expected to use monitoring point: the bathing water. Water quality assessment: Bathing Water Quality 2013 to 2016

During the 2013 bathing season there were no occasions, (out of 10 bathing water sampling events), when E.coli levels in the bathing waters did not meet the Excellent water quality status threshold for single samples of <250MPN/100ml, (EPA guidance on classification standards for bathing waters for single sample status assessment 2014).

During the 2014 bathing season there were two occasions, (out of 12 bathing water sampling events), when E.coli levels in the bathing waters did not meet the Excellent water quality status threshold for single samples of <250MPN/100ml. On one of these occasions the Intestinal Enterococci level in the bathing water did not meet the Excellent water quality status threshold for single samples of <100MPN/100ml.

During the 2015 bathing season there were two occasions, (out of 10 bathing water sampling events), when E.coli levels in the bathing waters did not meet the Excellent water quality status threshold for single VDPSOHVRI”031PO

During the 2016 bathing season there were no occasions, (out of 10 bathing water sampling events), when E.coli levels in the bathing waters did not meet the Excellent water quality status threshold for single VDPSOHVRI”031PO

Classification of Water Quality under Bathing Water Regulations 2008;

Assessment of the Coolmain bathing water under the Bathing Water Regulations 2008 (S.I. 79 of 2008), using E.coli & Intestinal Enterococci concentrations for the four-year assessment period 2013 to 2016 shows that the current classification for this bathing water is Good Quality.

The Coolmain bathing water will not qualify for Blue Flag Status in 2017 based on water quality results. 3. Identified Pressures:

Map 2: Bathing Water Catchment

3.1 Potential pressures in the catchment assessed as posing no risk:

Description: There are a number of individual houses located in the vicinity of the bathing waters & in the catchment area, which all should have some form of on-site effluent treatment system. Source: On Site Waste Water Treatment Systems Type: Septic Tank Short Term Pressure: No

Description: Currently the existing waste water treatment system at Courtmacsherry consists of a septic tank, which provides primary treatment of waste water, & which discharges effluent on a lunar cycle to the tidal channel in Courtmacsherry Harbour.

• There is a storm overflow at the entrance to the septic tank which discharges to the tidal channel. • There are 2 pumping stations on the waste water collection system, one of which also has a storm overflow system. • There is also a small housing estate in the village served by a septic tank which also discharges to the estuary.

Source: Courtmacsherry Waste Water Treatment System (Licence Reg. No. D0294-01). Type: Waste Water Treatment plant Short Term Pressure: No

Description: The waste water collection system for Kilbrittain is a partially combined system. There are a number of separate storm drains in the village. Surface water is collected and discharged to local watercourses; foul sewerage is collected and discharged to the WWTP. The current PE is estimated at 598, the plant has capacity for a PE of 800.

Primary & secondary treatment of effluent is provided in the treatment system before treated effluent is discharged to the Kilbrittain River approx. 3.5km upstream of the bathing water.

Source: Kilbrittain Waste Water Treatment System (Licence Reg. No. D0425-01) Type: Waste Water Treatment plant Short Term Pressure: No 3.2 Potential pressures in the catchment assessed as posing risk:

Description: The catchment area is predominantly an agricultural area with relatively intensive grassland & tillage farming. Slurry from local farms is landspread within the catchment. There are pig & poultry units located in the catchment area. Source: Agriculture; Type: Run off from agricultural land Short Term Pressure: Yes Nature: Moderate Risk Frequency: <1/month Duration: < 72 hours Risk Assessment Water quality analysis carried out on the identified beach in the period 2013 to 2016 indicates that Methodology: there is pressure on water quality at the bathing water. The only significant water quality pressures in the catchment are considered to be agriculture & discharges from the wastewater treatment system.

Agriculture is the predominant land use in the area & it is considered that agriculture may be having an impact on water quality in the catchment and thus potentially on water quality at the bathing water. Steep slopes in the catchment area increases the risk of run-off from the lands where surface slurry spreading is practiced or where animals are grazed, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall and when soils are saturated.

Risk Assessment It is considered that agriculture in the catchment area may have an impact on water quality at the Results: bathing water for the following reasons; • The intensive nature of agriculture in the area, • Steep slopes in the catchment area increases the risk of run-off from the lands during period of heavy rainfall, particularly when soils are saturated, • Agriculture is a significant source of E.coli in the catchment area, & heavy rainfall events, and saturated soils, provide a pathway to the bathing water. • At this time it is considered that the farmyards do not pose a significant risk to water quality in the catchment streams or to water quality at the bathing water (subject to ongoing good farm management). The risk is run-off from farm lands.

Details: Agriculture is the predominant land use in the area & it is considered that agriculture may be having an impact on water quality in the catchment and thus potentially on water quality at the bathing water. Management • Approximately 55 farm inspections were carried out in the Kilbrittain River catchment area in Measures: previous years. All farms with a high or medium risk of causing water pollution were followed up to ensure pollution risk was minimized. • SSRS will be carried out upstream of Kilbrittain village, downstream of village, & downstream of WWTP discharge point, in 2017, (if river is accessible), to determine if further investigations/inspections are warranted. • If heavy rain is anticipated warning notices will be erected on the beach together with incident notification to EPA. The public will be informed through the Council website & other media. • Information on the risk, likely frequency, & nature of short term pollution events caused by pressures on the bathing water will be provided on the beach notice boards as part of the summary beach profile. • In the event that bathing water quality is found to be unsatisfactory the public will be advised of this by way of public notices at the beach, & will be informed through the Council website, & other media. • In the event of a STP incident at the beach the local Council personnel who deal with the beach will carry out an inspection of the potential pollution sources to the beach as per agreed protocol, any pressures identified will be followed up & resolved if possible. Cork County Council is the responsible body for implementing these actions.

Description: Excess flows entering the Kilbrittain Waste Water Treatment Plant are discharged to the Kilbrittain River via a storm water overflow pipe. There is no information available from the discharge licence application regarding the frequency of storm water overflows or the quantities discharged.

Source: Kilbrittain Waste Water Treatment Plant Storm Overflow (Licence Reg. No. D0425-01). Type: Waste Water Treatment plant Short Term Pressure: Yes Nature: High Risk Frequency: <1/month Duration: < 72 hours Risk Assessment Microbial Pollution Risk Assessment Methodology: The risk assessment methodology is as recommended in the EPA Guidance for Development of Bathing Water Profiles. • The discharge from the treatment plant is to the river which is classed as a small river. • The population size is classed as small. • No treatment is provided as this is a storm overflow, therefore the Microbial Pollution Potential is Very High. • The 95 percentiles monitoring result for Intestinal Enterococci is 62 which equates to a Water Quality Impact grade B. Therefore the Microbial Pollution Risk Assessment for this discharge is Severe.

Risk Assessment Based on the above assessment the Microbial Pollution Risk Assessment for this discharge is Results: Severe. Details: Water quality at the bathing water was variable in the period 2013 to 2016.

It is considered that discharges from the storm water overflows at the Kilbrittain waste water treatment plant are having an impact on the bathing water due to their proximity to the bathing water. Management Water Services are to prioritise a submission to Irish Water to install dial out alarms on pumps at Measures: Kilbrittain plant & pumping stations. Alert system to be set up which will provide notifications of pump failure. Water Services/IW to clarify extent of WW collection system in Kilbrittain village. Water Services/IW to forward details of all storm water overflow events to the Environment Directorate, & to alert the Environment Directorate as soon as possible when a storm overflow event occurs.

Effluent discharge from the treatment plant will be sampled 6 times during 2017 & ambient river samples will be taken on 4 occasions both upstream & downstream.

Cork County Council/Irish Water are the responsible bodies for implementing these actions.

If heavy rain is anticipated warning notices will be erected on the beach together with incident notification to EPA. The public will be informed through the Council website & other media. • Information on the risk, likely frequency, & nature of short term pollution events caused by pressures on the bathing water will be provided on the beach notice boards as part of the summary beach profile. • In the event that bathing water quality is found to be unsatisfactory the public will be advised of this by way of public notices at the beach & will be informed through the Council website & other media. • In the event of a STP incident at the beach the local Council personnel who deal with the beach will carry out an inspection of the potential pollution sources to the beach as per agreed protocol, any pressures identified will be followed up & resolved if possible.

Cork County Council is the responsible body for implementing these actions.

3.3 Other Risks:

Assessment of the potential for proliferation N/A of cyanobacteria:

Proposed management measures for N/A cyanobacteria:

Assessment of the potential for proliferation Accumulations of sea lettuce has been an intermittent problem for a number of years on Coolmain of macroalgae: beach. Proposed management measures for Accumulations of sea lettuce occur as a result of excess input of nutrients to the receiving waters. macroalgae: Specific management actions have been identified to reduce nutrient inputs to these areas These include increased and improved treatment capacity at the waste water treatment plants in the Courtmacsherry Estuary, as well as full implementation of the Good Agriculture Practice Regulations.

While reduction in nutrient inputs to the receiving waters is the key management action necessary to control excessive growth of sea lettuce, experience in other areas has shown that reduction in algal biomass can take many years.

Cork County Council personnel monitor the beach during the bathing season. If any significant accumulations of sea lettuce arise on the beach a contractor is called in to remove the material which is used as fertilizer on an organic farm.

The removal of sea lettuce from the beach area is overseen by an ecologist to ensure that no damage is caused to the beach.

Assessment of the potential for proliferation N/A of marine phytoplankton:

Proposed management measures for marine N/A phytoplankton:

Additional Information: Name of beach operator responsible for the beach management:

Mr. Brendan Fehily, Senior Executive Engineer, [email protected], Phone 021 4772137

Area Engineers Office, Cork County Council, Bandon, Co.Cork.

For queries regarding the beach contact;

[email protected]

Contact for Routine Sampling Issues/Bathing Water Analytical Results;

David Sheehan, [email protected] Phone 021 4532702,

Eliz Hipwell, [email protected] Phone 021 4532718,

Environmental Directorate, Cork County Council, Inniscarra, Co.Cork.

4 Bathing Water Status From Previous Sampling Years:

2013 2014 2015 2016 Coolmaine Good Quality Good Quality Sufficient Good Quality Quality

5 Contact Details:

Contact: Cork County Council Email: [email protected] Address: Cork County Council, Inniscarra, Co. Cork, Cork Phone: 021 4532700